Undergraduate Admissions to the School of Music

1. Apply to the University

Complete and submit the University application for undergraduate admission. After submitting the Belmont University application for undergraduate admission, applicants will receive an email to register for an audition.

2. Audition for the School of Music

All programs in the School of Music require an audition. The audition determines admissibility into the School of Music, which is separate from the University admission decision. Students may register for an in-person or video audition. Applicants are strongly encouraged to audition in person so they may visit campus. To see requirements per instrument and per program, visit our Audition Requirements page.

Once the student registers online for the audition program and date, a confirmation email will be sent to the applicant's email address (as provided on the application). Audition event details will be e-mailed 2 weeks prior to the audition.

The Music Minor requires an audition. Students interested in the music minor can request information by e-mailing SOMauditions@belmont.edu

Audition Information

Auditioning In-Person

2019-2020 In-Person Audition Dates:

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Planning your trip to Belmont

Students will be given an individual audition schedule upon check-in on audition day. Schedules will not be provided to students before audition day. The length of the audition day depends on the number of students registered, so students should prepare to spend the day at Belmont - flights should be booked after 5pm to ensure enough time for audition and travel. If a student wants to come on the Friday before their audition day, the School of Music office has a schedule of general music classes to sit in on and observe.

Important things to remember before your audition:

We recommend students wear performance attire for the audition.

No original songs are permitted during a student's audition.

Vocalists are provided accompanists and may not accompany themselves.

Bring your music with you to the audition in the proper key- accompanists will not transpose or improvise. Students may bring a hard copy of his/her music with cuts clearly marked. Students who audition for Commercial Voice may choose to use a piano accompanist provided by the SOM or a backing track to perform their commercial piece.

Audition Day Schedule

At check-in, students will receive their individual audition schedule. There will be an optional financial aid and College of Music and Performing Arts information session, current student panel, and campus tour for adults to attend during the day while students warm-up and audition. Free lunch passes to our Harrington Dining Hall will be provided for students and adults.

Warm Up

Practice rooms are available for students to use before their audition.

Audition

The student’s auditionwill be in front of a panel of faculty. The audition lasts about 10-20 minutes, depending on the instrument. No original songs are permitted during a student's audition. The School of Music will provide an accompanist for vocalists. Vocalists may not accompany themselves.

Basic Musicianship Test

The Basic Musicianship Testis a 5-7 minute long test taken one-on-one with a faculty member. Prepare to take the Basic Musicianship Test by reviewing the following:

repeating and matching pitches of a melody

repeating a clapped rhythm

identifying key signatures

naming musical notes on a staff

singing musical notes on a staff

and reading rhythm from musical notation on a staff

Video Auditions

Applicants are strongly encouraged to audition in person so they may visit campus. Video auditions are submitted through Acceptd. Specific instructions for the video audition and Basic Musicianship Test will be sent to the applicant's email address (as provided on the application) once the student applies to Belmont and registers for the video audition.

The instructions provided for video auditions are designed so the video audition mirrors the in person audition as much as possible. For audition requirements visit the Undergraduate Audition Requirements page. Microphones and any production effects may not be used for video auditions. All video auditions must include audio and video.

Deadlines for Video Auditions

Video auditions must be submitted by Friday, February 7, 2020 to be considered for a School of Music scholarship.

Video auditions should be submitted by May 15, 2020 for all first-year applicants and by July 1, 2020 for all transfer applicants. (For Spring 2020 entry, video auditions should be submitted by December 1, 2019)

Music Composition Specific Requirements

Each candidate must perform a vocal OR instrumental audition, as well as submit the below materials via Acceptd: (Acceptd link will be sent via email upon application to Belmont University.)

Two (2) scores and sound files of compositions (do not have to beprofessionally recorded) which show recent compositional activity.

Compositions should represent two different instrumentations (for instance, one for solo piano and one for string quartet).

A repertory list of all student compositions with approximate dates completedshould be submitted.

Musical Theatre Specific Requirements

Belmont Musical Theatre is looking for the nation's most talented students to train to become triple threats for successful careers in Musical Theatre. Auditioners should show a knowledge of styles in their contrasting selections as well as range and vocal health and good pitch. Most importantly, students should show they connect with their chosen material and that they can communicate the story and character's journey in their selections. Young auditioners should choose material which is age appropriate and refrain from overly profane selections.

There is a group dance portion of the Musical Theatre audition. Please bring comfortable, non-movement restrictive dance clothes to change into. Character or Jazz shoes are preferred and tennis shoes are acceptable. No need to bring tap shoes.

3. Receive the Admissions Decision

A University admissions decision letter will be mailed when your application is complete with the Office of Admissions. The School of Music admissions decision letter will be mailed 3-4 weeks after both your audition and Basic Musicianship Test have been completed, and the School of Music has verified that you have also been admitted to the University.

4. Receive Music Scholarship Information

Students are automatically considered for a School of Music talent-based scholarship when they audition.Students who are awarded a scholarship will be sent an award letter only if they’ve received a School of Music scholarship. Fall auditionees who are awarded scholarship will be mailed a scholarship letter in December. Spring auditionees who are awarded scholarship will be mailed a scholarship letter in March. Students submitting a video audition must submit their video audition by Feb 7, 2020 to be considered for a School of Music scholarship. Please visit our Music Scholarships page for more information.

5. Accept the Offer of Admission

Pay the Enrollment Deposit by the May 1 National Reply Date (December 1 for spring applicants) to confirm you’ve made the decision to attend Belmont. Information about the Enrollment Deposit will be included in the University admissions acceptance letter.